Jon Berk has passed. 12 12

[sfcityduck]

Please see Pat Calhoun’s posts at the end of this thread:

Jon’s posts taught me a lot and I am grateful for his involvement in this hobby and his generosity in sharing his knowledge.

 

Edited August 13, 2023 by sfcityduck

[Gotham Kid]

That is terrible news

[jimjum12]

Bummer, I really liked that guy. 

R.I.P Jon Berk

... please say hello to Verzyl for us. GOD BLESS ...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

Edited August 15, 2023 by jimjum12

[action1kid]

Everyone loved Jon. Shocked.

[drbanner]

Oh man, that's terrible. One of the pioneers of the hobby.

[comicjack]

Wow, he was an icon of the comic world and surely will be missed.RIP Jon 

[tth2]

Terrible news.  I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but heard he was a great guy.  My condolences to his family.  RIP.  

[jimbo_7071]

I didn't know him, but I remember when @jbcomicbox used to post on the boards regularly. It's sad to hear.

[Readcomix]

I never got to meet him but his contributions to our hobby, here and everywhere, are rightfully legendary. Thank you and RIP, good sir.

[DanCooper]

Such sad news.

I first met Jon in the mid-1990s when he was president of the American Association of Comic Collectors (the AACC) and through Sotheby's, Comic Book Marketplace and the San Diego Comic-Cons. Quick witted, sarcastic (in a good, humorous way!) generous. A TRULY GREAT GUY!

A couple of Jon memories - I remember at one AACC dinner for Golden Age artists in San Diego, held at the Kansas City Barbeque place across from the convention center, Jon running frantically across the trolley tracks to get one of the artist's wife a vegetarian meal, since KC BBQ didn't cater to that taste!

Jon and I and some other collectors were invited out to CGC, when they first opened up their doors in Parsippany, New Jersey. CGC wanted to get a collector's perspective of what CGC was getting into. I remember when the subject of whether Mile Highs with glue or color touch, should be in blue labels came up. CGC felt unrestored labels was the way. The collectors had different opinions. I was just glad Jon was on our side arguing the case!

Jon's favorite phrase was we are not collectors but "custodians" of history! He was absolutely right!

Rest in peace JBcomicbox

Here's a photo that was in the Comic Book Marketplace. Sums up Jon perfectly:

 

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

In addition to the above comments, I always appreciated the style in which he left the hobby. Instead of spacing his books out in multiple auctions, and thereby maximizing his profits, he chose to let them all go at once. In doing so, he passed his books to us at a more affordable cost. His exit strategy was the polar opposite of, say, the Promise Collection. 
 

jon had style

[Jayman]

I did not know him personally but his presence and posts here on the boards were always interesting, informative and a pleasure to read. I always learned a bit more about our hobby from one of Jon’s posts.

RIP

[action1kid]

There are Big collectors who keep everything to themselves, and then there’s Jon Berk, who shared it all.
 

[batman_fan]

Very sad news

[sagii]

Sad to hear, he was certainly a historian bar none.

That auction and the level of excitement it created here on the boards during the week the lots were closing has not been duplicated since and there have been some exceptional auctions post then. 

The catalog devoted to his collection could almost be a Gerber in it self. MIND BLOWING!

Thanks Mr. Berk, I will be a diligent custodian to these and my others. RIP

[Robot Man]

Man, first Ray Stork earlier this week and now Jon. We are losing to many of the old guard.

Although I never met Jon personaly, I always enjoyed his articles in the CBM. His incredible detective work on the Larson collection was inspirational. He was always a gentleman collector, no ego, just a love of the hobby and always willing to share. A true collector.

I am honored to own several of Jon’s books. I will take real good care of them until my time comes to pass them on the the new guard.

RIP brother!

[october]

On 8/13/2023 at 8:54 AM, action1kid said:

There are Big collectors who keep everything to themselves, and then there’s Jon Berk, who shared it all.
 

He did. Guy didn't know me from Adam but was nice enough to open his house and spend hours showing me his collection, art, etc. Super knowledgeable.

This is a sad day for the comic collecting community. RIP

[action1kid]

Absolutely!

[woowoo]

My condolences to his family. I never met him but read a lot about him and was shocked that a long-time collector like me was selling his books. I guess it made me think when it was time for me to sell and have money before I go. God bless Jon Berk.

I just found this hope its ok to post if not let me know.

Jon Berk Obituary - Ahearn Funeral Home - Northampton - 2023 (legacy.com)

Edited August 13, 2023 by woowoo

[davidtere]

Jon was a gentleman. He would take time for everyone and enjoyed sharing his love of the hobby. I was fortunate to know him through his contributions to the AACC and his visits to SDCC. He will be missed. My condolences to his friends and family.  

R.I.P. Mr. Berk.